E-mail hang-ups

The Hassle: I hang on to valuable messages - sometimes for years. The problem is, the subject lines are often worthless. That makes it difficult for me to remember what the e-mail was about.

The Fix: I have the same pack rat mentality, but I know a quick trick. Just edit the contents of the subject field and add descriptive words. Then save the message for easier sorting and searching. This approach is also good for clarifying a cryptic subject before forwarding a message.
In most e-mail apps, it's easy. Outlook and Outlook Express let you edit the subject line in place and save the message. Ditto for Eudora. It's tougher with Web-based services. In Hotmail, for example, you have to open the message, click Forward (or Reply), change the subject, click Save as Draft, and then move the message to another folder. Crikey!

Quick Bonus Tip: Editing the subject is handy, but get this - some e-mail apps also let you edit the message body, which is useful for proving to your boss that she did authorise your 20 per cent raise. [Editor's note: Fat chance.] In Outlook, with the message open, choose Edit-Edit Message. Then start typing away. As with subject-line changes, Outlook will prompt you to save before you close the window. In Eudora, click the pencil icon on the toolbar.

The Hassle: I forgot the password I use to log on as administrator. Now I can't do monthly maintenance, such as dumping useless programs on my home computer.

The Fix: You have a few ways to retrieve your administrator password. Kelly Theriot's method (detailed at www.kellys-korner-xp.com/win_xp_passwords.htm) is free, but it's tricky and certain to make you dizzy. The Login Recovery site (www.loginrecovery.com) will do the dirty work for free, but it takes two days (if you pay a $US20 fee, the job gets done in 10 minutes). Your best bet is to spring for NT Access (www.sunbelt-software.com/NTAccess.cfm, trial version on the Cover Disc of the November 2006 issue of PC World Magazine), a $US70 app from Sunbelt Software. Next time, write the password on a sticky note. (Just kidding!)

The Hassle: I need to send CDs filled with sensitive data to co-workers by snail mail. I'm worried about security, so I compress the files and create a password. But this adds a time-consuming step.

The Fix: If you lived in the US or Europe, Ricoh's EncryptEase (www.ricoh.com/media/cd-r/rr.html) is a smarter-than-average CD-R burner with embedded software that automatically compresses, encrypts, and protects files with a password of your choosing, and then burns them onto the disc. As it is, you'll probably find that encryptX SecurDataStore is easier to get hold of (www.encryptx.com). The basic version ($US40) should do the job for you, allowing you to create Blowfish-encrypted data CDs from within the program. The software required to decrypt them is included on the discs that are burned, so they can be read by anyone with the correct password. A free trial is available from the encryptX Web site.

The Hassle: Whenever I output something on my shared printer, an annoying yellow confirmation bubble pops up to tell me the document printed. It won't go away unless I click on it. Can I turn that option off?

The Fix: Some people are never happy. Head over to the "Printers and Faxes" window, click File-Server Properties, and select the Advanced tab. Near the bottom of the dialogue box, uncheck "Notify when remote documents are printed".

Slicker searching in Outlook

Got messages you know are around but can't find? Use Lookout, a freebie from, of all companies, Microsoft (download it at www.lookoutsoft.com/Lookout/download.html, or get it off the Cover Disc of the November 2006 issue of PC World Magazine). Lookout is quicker to access than separate search tools like Google's Desktop Search because it becomes part of Outlook's toolbar. For ferreting out e-mail, Lookout is way faster and smarter than Outlook's Find function. For instance, it pokes into attachments and the content of PDF files; also, it allows you to search with wild cards and Boolean expressions, and to restrict searches to just last week, say, or to attachments only.

PCW Evaluation Team

I would recommend this device for families and small businesses who want one safe place to store all their important digital content and a way to easily share it with friends, family, business partners, or customers.

Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission of IDG Communications is prohibited. Copyright 2013 IDG Communications.
ABN 14 001 592 650. All rights reserved.

Contact Us

With over 25 years of brand awareness and credibility, Good Gear Guide (formerly PC World Australia), consistently delivers editorial excellence through award-winning content and trusted product reviews.